Vietnam to Begin Rice Exports to Iran
Saturday, October 07, 2017
The southern Vietnamese city of Can Tho expects to export its
first batches of rice to Iran in the last quarter of 2017, deputy director of
the city’s Department of Industry and Trade said.
At a meeting to review import-export activities organized by the
city’s People’s Committee on Wednesday, Huynh Trung Tru also said a company in
Iran in August directly dealt with a rice firm in Can Tho to finalize a
contract to export to Iran 100,000 tons of rice from now until the end of the
year, Vietnam News reported.
“Previously, Can Tho did not export rice to this market,” the
official said.
According to Tru, if rice shipment to Iran meets favorable
conditions, the city hopes that the partner will sign a longer term contract
next year.
Tru said demand for rice imports has increased in many markets
such as Bangladesh, the Philippines and Iran.
In the first nine months of 2017, the city’s total rice export
volume reached over 638,000 tons, bringing a turnover of $262 million, up 22%
and 20% year-on-year, respectively.
According to VFA, in the first nine months of the year, Vietnam
exported 4.57 million tons of rice, reaping a turnover of $2.02 billion, rising
by 20.8% in volume and 18.6% in value against the figures of the corresponding
period last year.
The association forecasts that in 2017, the country’s rice
exports will reach 5.7 million tons, including 1.8 million tons in the last
quarter, and 800,000 tons higher than 2016.
More than 1 million tons of rice worth $963 million were
imported to Iran during the five months to August 22, registering a 79% and
102.5% growth in weight and value respectively compared with the corresponding
period of last year.
With more than 696,000 tons, India was the main exporter
followed by Pakistan, the UAE, Thailand, Turkey and Iraq, ISNA reported.
Last year’s imports stood at around 760,000 tons.
Imports are taking place while every year and during the rice
harvest season, the government bans rice imports in support of local farmers
and domestic production.
“The ongoing seasonal ban on rice imports will be in effect
until Nov. 21,” Deputy Agriculture Minister Yazdan Seif recently said, noting
that the ban went into effect in August.
Traders who have already registered orders can import their
cargos after the deadline. During the ban period, no imports will take place,
Mehr News Agency quoted Seif as saying.
Abbas Keshavarz, also a deputy agriculture minister, said nearly
2.3 million tons of rice have been produced in the country in the current
Iranian year (started March 21).
Iranians consume 3 million tons of rice a year. The two northern
provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran are home to a majority of Iran’s paddy
fields.
According to the Central and West Asia Rice Center, with around
54% of Central and West Asia’s paddy fields located in Iran, the country
accounts for 61% of the regions’ combined rice production
Rice basmati strengthens on rising demand
New Delhi, Oct 15 (PTI) Rice basmati prices
strengthened by Rs 100 per quintal at the wholesale grains market today on
rising demand from retailers.However, other grains moved in a narrow range in
limited deals and settled around previous levels.
Marketmen said rising demand from retailers against tight stocks position on fall in supplies from producing regions mainly kept rice basmati prices higher.
In the national capital, rice basmati Pusa 1121 variety advanced by Rs 100 to Rs 4,050-4,900 per quintal.
Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal):
Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,300-2,835, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,840-1,845, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,845-1,850, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 275, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 275, Roller flour mill Rs 950-960 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,050-1,060 (50 kg) and Sooji Rs 1,150-1,160 (50 kg).
Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,700, Basmati common new Rs 4,800-5,000, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 4,050-4,900, Permal raw Rs 2,000-2,050, Permal wand Rs 2,125-2,200, Sela Rs 2,800-2,900 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,850-1,860, Bajra Rs 1,300-1,305, Jowar yellow Rs 1,750-1,800, white Rs 3,400-3,600, Maize Rs 1,540-1,550, Barley Rs 1,610-1,615.
Marketmen said rising demand from retailers against tight stocks position on fall in supplies from producing regions mainly kept rice basmati prices higher.
In the national capital, rice basmati Pusa 1121 variety advanced by Rs 100 to Rs 4,050-4,900 per quintal.
Following are today's quotations (in Rs per quintal):
Wheat MP (desi) Rs 2,300-2,835, Wheat dara (for mills) Rs 1,840-1,845, Chakki atta (delivery) Rs 1,845-1,850, Atta Rajdhani (10 kg) Rs 275, Shakti Bhog (10 kg) Rs 275, Roller flour mill Rs 950-960 (50 kg), Maida Rs 1,050-1,060 (50 kg) and Sooji Rs 1,150-1,160 (50 kg).
Basmati rice (Lal Quila) Rs 10,700, Shri Lal Mahal Rs 11,300, Super Basmati Rice Rs 9,700, Basmati common new Rs 4,800-5,000, Rice Pusa (1121) Rs 4,050-4,900, Permal raw Rs 2,000-2,050, Permal wand Rs 2,125-2,200, Sela Rs 2,800-2,900 and Rice IR-8 Rs 1,850-1,860, Bajra Rs 1,300-1,305, Jowar yellow Rs 1,750-1,800, white Rs 3,400-3,600, Maize Rs 1,540-1,550, Barley Rs 1,610-1,615.
http://ptinews.com/news/7972669_Rice%20basmati%20strengthens%20on%20rising%20demand
Rice price declines by Tk 5-8
Sun Online Desk
6th October, 2017 07:12:31
The prices of different kinds of rice have
declined by Taka 5 to 8 in per kilogram across the country. With government's
initiatives, including running of open market sale (OMS) in the city and
district, conducting mobile courts and possibility of bumper Aman production,
the price of different kinds of rice is now on the downtrend across the
country.
In Chittagong per kilogram of coarse rice now
has been sold Taka 32 in Khatungonj wholesale market, which was sold at Taka 35
in last two months, said Nurul Alam Master, rice importer and Vice President of
Khatungonj Businessman Association.
He informed that prices of essential
commodities, mainly rice have shown an upward trend in the past several months
due to price hike in international market, reports BSS.
Nurul Alam also said that in recent weeks the
price of rice decreased after stern action of the government including drive
against hoarders, opening of Open Market Sale (OMS) at fair price and selling
essential food items to the lower and lower-middle income groups. Retail
traders blamed the syndication for increasing price of rice. Sayed Alam, a
retail trader of Khatungonj, told BSS that the syndication is mainly
responsible for increasing rice price.
Our Khulna Correspondent reports that in a span
of week, the price of rice has been decreased by Taka 4 to 5 per kilogram in
the south-west region.The price of rice has been increased Taka 10 to 15 per kg
in the past one and half month or so in the wholesale markets.
Haji Munir Ahmed, President of Khulna Paddy and
Rice Wholesale Business Association told BSS today that price of rice has been
decreased Tk 4-5 in last five days and will come down more day by day.
"Huge stocks in government warehouses,
several ships reached with imported rice at Mongla Port, drives against rice
hoarders and possibility of bumper Aman paddy production will bring down rice
price," he said.
Wholesalers at Borobazar rice market said LC
rice is now being sold at Tk 45, gut swarna at Tk 43, miniket at Tk 52 and
nazirshail at Tk 54 per kilogram. While talking to journalist, President of
Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Kazi Aminul Haque, said that a
section of greedy rice millers and some business syndicates have hiked the
price through creating artificial crisis with the hope extra benefit.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Zahangir
Hossain told BSS, five teams are continuing mobile court operation against
hoarding of rice in the district including the city.
Khulna Regional Food Controller (RC-Food) SM
Mohsin told BSS today a total of 40,000 tons rice remain stored at government
warehouses in Khulna division.
"Price of rice has already been decreased
and would be decreased day by day," he added.
In Rangpur, the market price of rice declined
by Taka 5 to 8 per kg in last one week following effective implementation of
various steps taken by the government and beginning harvest of early Aman rice
varieties.
"The rice price marked fall following
stronger market monitoring system, open market sale (OMS) and import of huge
rice," said Senior Vice-president of Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and
Industry Mostoba Hossain Ripan.
Talking to BSS, rice trader Mizanur Rahman at
Rangpur City Bazar said course variety rice is being sold at Taka 40 per kg,
miniket at Taka 55, BRRI dhan28 at Taka 52, swarna at Taka 45 and najirshail
rice at Taka 62 per kg.
Rice importer Alhaj Moyen Uddin said he
imported 5,000 tonnes of rice from India in recent weeks and marketed those
locally.
Our Barisal correspondent reports: Prices of
different kinds of rice have declined by Taka 7 to 8 in the span of couple of
weeks.
Wholesale and Retail Rice Business Association
Vice-President Swapan Dutta and Secretary Md Faruk Alam said a sack of 25
kilogram rice was sold at Taka 1,500 in couple of weeks ago but now per sack
rice is being sold at Taka 1,275 to 1,300.
In Sylhet, price of rice also decreased by Taka
5 to 8 per kilogram and up to Taka 400 in sack of 50 kilogram.Rice wholesalers
said Indian LC rice is being sold at Taka 35 per kg now which was being sold at
43 two weeks ago.
http://www.daily-sun.com/post/259603/Rice-price-declines-by-Tk-58
Haryana farmers all smiles as long-grained
basmati prices double this year
Reason to
cheer: Long-grained varieties being sold at Rs 3,000 per quintal; farmers
earning Rs 70,000 per acre.
Neeraj Mohan
Hindustan Times, Karnal
Hindustan Times, Karnal
Many rice exporters are of the opinion that the prices have gone
up due to tax exemption on paddy and rice after the implementation of the Goods
and Service Tax. (HT photo)
Basmati growers in the state have a reason to smile as the
prices of the premium paddy, especially the long-grained varieties, have
doubled as compared to the last year.
With the paddy harvesting season already round the corner,
long-grained Pusa 1509 is being sold at Rs 2,700-Rs 2,800 per quintal, whereas
prices of Moochal, Sharbati
and Pusa 1121have reached Rs 3500 per quintal, registering an
increase of Rs 1500 per quintal over the last year.
“I have six acres under the Moochal basmati
and sold half of the produce at Rs 3450 per quintal. With Rs 100 price hike
every day, farmers are earning Rs 65,000-Rs 70,000 per acre,” said Rajesh
Kamboj, a farmer from Radaur in Yamunanagar district.
Raj Kumar, a farmer from Ladwa of the district, said, “We have
Pusa 1509 variety and the prices are good this year. This will help us pay the
debts as we did not see any hike in the prices of paddy since 2013.”
The traders and commission agents feel the prices may rise
further due to a competition among the buyers and rice millers.
“As the prices of basmati varieties generally depend on the
demand outside the country, it is for the first time since 2103 the prices have
crossed the Rs 3,000 per quintal mark in the beginning of the procurement
season. It may even rise further and the lateral variety of desi basmati
(Taraori) may cross the Rs 4,000 per quintal mark,” said Sohan Lal of Shri Ram
Trading Company in Kurukshetra.
The traders and commission agents
feel the prices may rise further due to a competition among the buyers and rice
millers.
Even as several high-yielding paddy varieties are sown in the
region, the farmers says that Pusa 1509 is considered the best because it is
the only basmati variety which takes 90 days to mature, a month less than the
other long-grained varieties. In this case, the farmers get an extra month to
sow other crops like mustard and winter vegetables.
What caused price rise
Some people claimed that the basmati
prices have increased following a demand in the Gulf countries
such as Saudi Arabia and the European Union.
Rice exporters, however, are of the opinion that the prices have
jumped after a tax exemption on paddy and rice following implementation of the
Goods and Service Tax (GST).
Talking to HT, former president and governing body member of all India Rice
Exporters Association Vijay Setia said there is no additional demand this time
and it is the 5 per cent tax exemption before the GST that caused the rise. New
traders had invested in the rice industry when demonetisation took place and
they will make profit in the next few months, he said.
“But the increase in prices is not stable and nobody can predict
what will be price of the basmati next year. The overall acreage under Basmati
has dipped by 10 per cent in Haryana,” he said.
Haryana’s share in basmati export
As per the All India Rice
Exporters Association, Haryana and Punjab each have 40 per cent share in the
total 40 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of basmati export from the country. Karnal,
Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Yamunanagar and Panipat districts make a significant
contribution to the state’s 16 lakh MT basmati production
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/haryana-farmers-all-smiles-as-long-grained-basmati-prices-double-this-year/story-xHTCyQThCZh3g1MRdkDvTJ.html
Vietnam, Algeria promote trade,
investment in Biskra conference
Thursday, 2017-10-05 21:49:45 
Vietnam, Algeria promote trade, investment in
Biskra conference (Photo: VNA)
NDO/ VNA – Over 50 local enterprises in
tourism, palm, rice, beverage, building materials and machinery production and
business attended a conference for Vietnam-Algeria trade and investment
promotion in Biskra province, on October 5.The event was jointly held by the
Trade Office of Vietnam in Algeria and the chamber of commerce and industry in
Biskra in order to provide local businesses with more information with regards
to Vietnam’s key export products and to boost the cooperation in trade and
investment between the two countries.
In his remarks at the conference, Vietnamese
Trade Counsellor Hoang Duc Nhuan gave the attendees an overview of Vietnam’s
economy and its key export earners, including seafood, garments and textiles,
footwear, rice, coffee, peppercorns, fruits, cashew nuts and more.He invited
the local companies to join in with the upcoming expos in Vietnam, such as MTA
Vietnam Hanoi 2017 in Hanoi, Aquaculture Vietnam 2017 and Vietnam International
Agriculture Fair 2017 in Can Tho, Vietnam Wood 2017 and Vietnam Expo 2017 in Ho
Chi Minh City.
According to Nhuan, in addition to their
interest in Vietnam's exports, such as rice, coffee, machineries, equipment,
companies from Biskra hope to export date palm, a local specialty, to Vietnam.
Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Quoc Tru spoke
highly of the potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Biskra, saying that
the event will help to accelerate the two-way trade and investment in the
future.Tru later had meetings with the head of Biskra province Ahmed Kerroun
and mayor of Biskra city Slimani Azzecdine and paid visits to local date palm
producers and exporters
http://en.nhandan.org.vn/business/item/5550902-vietnam-algeria-promote-trade-investment-in-biskra-conference.html
The
left out themes from export discourse
What are some of the most
frequently heard words in export growth strategic exercises taken up by
Pakistan’s commerce, finance or planning ministries; or by business chambers,
think tanks, donors and the academia? Exchange rate, power and gas, law
and order, tax refund and tax policy, cost of doing business, SME credit, and
trade facilitation. What you don’t hear is this.Simply put, export is about what you are good at (that comparative advantage thing) and produce or can potentially produce in excess over domestic consumption at prices that are internationally competitive.
Seen from that lens, the story goes that Pakistan is very good at textile industry, employing nearly a third of labour force, and accounting for about half of total exports. Yet few ever wonder why Pakistan has been unable to attract in FDI in textile or other sectors from the top five export-oriented sectors (textile, leather, carpets, surgical and sports goods). If Pakistan was indeed good in these sectors, then foreign players should have sought stake in these sectors, right?
A detailed answer to those questions is not out there in any kind of formal publicly availably study. But one oft-repeated reason stands out. Sans a handful of exceptions players in export-oriented sector are infamous for maintaining two books of accounts which no foreign player is able to trust. Recall that the same players used the export refinance schemes in yester years to take cheap loan in the name of exports and use that money for punting in stock and real estate markets.
Another sector in which Pakistan reportedly has or can develop comparative advantage is the likes of red and white meat, dairy, and farm produce especially fruits and vegetables. Yet to this date, Pakistan has failed to develop this sector giving credence to the view that the word potential, like talent, is overrated. In the last few years, a host of meat and frozen food processing companies have emerged. But neither the federal and provincial governments are coming up with actionable sectoral policies, nor are these areas part of the discourse.
In some countries, labour is a good export, explicitly as labour migration, or implicitly as cheap and efficient labour that can be an advantage in some technical industries, such as electronics, or light scale engineering. (See also BR Research’s “Labour export losing steam” published September 11, 2017).
There is no denying that Pakistan produces a lot of labour; after all human production is our national pastime as per the latest census results. That labour is relatively cheap as well. But they are not sufficiently trained. A lot of hoo-ha has been raised over lack of education in this country, and rightly so. But there is an insufficient realization over the lack of technical or vocational training of workers, a subject that rests largely with the provinces.
Similarly, some countries export its resources. Most patriotic zealots can highlight Pakistan’s potential in natural resources - from copper and gold to marble, chromite and so on. These can be exported, surely.
But in order to realize the full export potential, these resources have to be extracted and processed, for which any country would need the right kind of skilled labour, the right kind of technology, capital and management skills. Pakistan has none of these, which is why only foreign players have ventured into these areas. Yet at the same time, this country has managed to shoo away these investors, and then found it selves losing in international courts as well which sort of rubber stamps the notion that Pakistan is no country for FDI.
A country may also implicitly export its capital. For instance, one major reason China is able to export so much is its high household savings with which it is able to finance its mega projects for exports or to provide the right infrastructure needed to export. Pakistan’s small sized domestic savings mean that the country also lacks the right capital.
Lastly, there is also a need to re-think the price of exports. For instance, when Pakistan is exporting rice it is also exporting water, because despite being a water-stressed country, water for rice production is priced terribly low. Now it is true that countries subsidize various business sectors, but should we really subsidize rice exports with water which is already in short supply or at least shouldn’t issues like these be discussed publicly.
Granted that exchange rate, energy shortages, tax issues and the likes are keeping Pakistan’s exports from taking off. But even after fixing these issues, export take off would still be limited to a low and limited possibilities; without significant efforts to boost labour, technology and capital whatever ‘potential’ Pakistan’s land provides will always only a potential. With demographic window sharply closing in, the time to start realizing that potential is already past; crash course catching up is the only option
Rice Association gets new chairman
KARACHI: Rice Exporters Association of
Pakistan (Reap) has elected Ch Samee Ullah Naeem as chairman for 2017-18.Rafique
Suelman and Hamdullah Khan Tareen have been elected as senior vice-chairman and
vice-chairman, respectively, a press release said.
Pakistan eyes on CARs, African markets to boost exports
ISLAMABAD: In order to boost exports from the country, Pakistan is exploring new markets in resource-rich regions of the Central Asia and Africa. We are working to enhance our economic ties with these potential markets of Pakistan products, which would help boost country's trade," Director Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Khalid Rasool told APP here.
Exploring the regional market was the top priority of the government, he said adding efforts were on to promote trade and economic relations with Africa, Central Asian economies and Afghanistan.
For this purpose, TDAP intended to organize Pakistan Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs) Conference from November 7 to 9 in Islamabad, he added.
Pakistan had potential to enhance the country's exports in pharmaceutical, poultry, surgical instruments, including variety of textiles items such as synthetic textile products, raw cotton, cotton yarn, leather and sports goods, electronics, sea food, furniture, cement, apparel, marble and agro-based industry like rice, beef, sugar, poultry chicken, potatoes, fruits and vegetables, he said.
He said the trade ministers and business community and Chambers of Commerce and Industry from both Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics would be invited to attend the conference.
Senior official of Ministry of Commerce informed that the main objective of this conference was to enhance bilateral trade volume, strengthen trade and economic ties and regional trade integration of these economies.
"We want to touch the untapped market of Central Asia with a total population of over 66.5 million spread over an area of about four million square kilometers, and located on the historical Silk Route," he said.
Pakistan was looking for easy access of neighboring partners to bigger markets of the region, technology sharing focusing on collective regional prosperity, he added.
Khalid Rasool said that Central Asian States presented a consolidated market of 289 million consumers, with GDP of $593.56 billion, which offered a huge reservoir of untapped economies.
He said Pakistan-Central Asian Republics relations were based on geographical proximity, common history, religion, culture, traditions, values and destiny.
Pakistan and these states could work together in areas of trade, economic stability and development of the region, the Director TDAP said. Replying to a question, he said that TDAP was also looking to organize "Look Africa" Business Forum by November 10, in Karachi.
He added that Pakistan had potential to increase its exports in textile, pharmaceutical, cement, leather, chemical, low tech, marbles and gems and jewelery in African countries.
http://www.brecorder.com/2017/10/05/373282/pakistan-eyes-on-cars-african-markets-to-boost-exports/
USA Rice Brings Foodservice Farm & Mill Tours to California
ARBUCKLE, CA --
Last week, Sun Valley Rice Company and USA Rice hosted two full days of farm
and mill tours for foodservice professionals including food writers, registered
dieticians, collegiate and professional sports nutritionists, representatives
from Aramark, and chefs from the Aperium Hotel Group.
The tours began with a brief introduction on California rice and Sun Valley by their Director of Communications Brett LaGrande and transitioned to a tour of the grounds and state of the art milling and sprouting facility led by Sun Valley's quality assurance manager and operations manager. From there attendees were shuttled to a field in harvest where they learned about harvesting rice firsthand and had the opportunity to ride (and take a few selfies) in an active combine with area farmer, Bert Manuel.
The tours began with a brief introduction on California rice and Sun Valley by their Director of Communications Brett LaGrande and transitioned to a tour of the grounds and state of the art milling and sprouting facility led by Sun Valley's quality assurance manager and operations manager. From there attendees were shuttled to a field in harvest where they learned about harvesting rice firsthand and had the opportunity to ride (and take a few selfies) in an active combine with area farmer, Bert Manuel.
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 Bert Manuel (l.) gives Chef Alex a view from the cab |
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"It was great
to have chefs, nutritionists, and the food service people out to
California," said Manuel. "These tours give the farmer the
chance to tell his story on how we raise the crop and how it gets to the end
user, and the end users come away with a very personal experience they can use
to communicate the farm to fork story. They asked great questions on
planting, growing, harvest, and delivery of the rice, and they shared with me
their thoughts on food trends and ways they recommend the use of rice in
everyday diets for their clients and customers. It was truly a
win-win."
Following the field tour, attendees were taken to the Foothill Warehouse where they sampled four varieties of rice, ate lunch, and concluded their day with a tour of the rice dryer.
"These farm and mill tours are a great opportunity to connect with people who work in the food industry and can directly promote the use and benefits of U.S.-grown rice," said Brett LaGrande. "Additionally, the tours allow USA Rice to introduce itself as a resource for recipe and menu collaboration and foodservice sourcing, as well as marketing and promotions to help incorporate more U.S. rice on menus and tell the story of the ingredients."
Following the field tour, attendees were taken to the Foothill Warehouse where they sampled four varieties of rice, ate lunch, and concluded their day with a tour of the rice dryer.
"These farm and mill tours are a great opportunity to connect with people who work in the food industry and can directly promote the use and benefits of U.S.-grown rice," said Brett LaGrande. "Additionally, the tours allow USA Rice to introduce itself as a resource for recipe and menu collaboration and foodservice sourcing, as well as marketing and promotions to help incorporate more U.S. rice on menus and tell the story of the ingredients."
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 Inside the Foothill Warehouse dryer |
All attendees left
the tour with a better understanding of the work that goes into producing rice
and a unique outlook on U.S.-grown rice. "I will be thinking about
this rice farm tour 15 years from now," said tour attendee and registered
dietician Patricia Bannan. "Actually being out in the field, riding
the combine, and meeting the farmers is so much more powerful as a learning
experience than sitting in a seminar hearing how rice is grown from a Power
Point presentation."
Prior to the tours, USA Rice hosted dinners for tour attendees at prominent Sacramento restaurants that featured a U.S. rice focused menu. USA Rice Millers' Association Chairman Alex Balafoutis and California Rice Commission CEO Tim Johnson were on hand to provide a history of rice production in California, share the local farmers' record on sustainability and commitment to conservation, and discuss industry trends and challenges.
USA Rice's Foodservice Farm and Mill Tour program was relaunched last year with fruitful tours in Arkansas, and with last week's successful California installment, plans are already underway for the next round of tours in another rice growing region. The program provides USA Rice an opportunity to showcase sustainably-grown U.S. rice and the hard-working men and women who make it all possible, and improves participants understanding of every aspect of U.S. rice, leading to increased use of the mighty grain.
Prior to the tours, USA Rice hosted dinners for tour attendees at prominent Sacramento restaurants that featured a U.S. rice focused menu. USA Rice Millers' Association Chairman Alex Balafoutis and California Rice Commission CEO Tim Johnson were on hand to provide a history of rice production in California, share the local farmers' record on sustainability and commitment to conservation, and discuss industry trends and challenges.
USA Rice's Foodservice Farm and Mill Tour program was relaunched last year with fruitful tours in Arkansas, and with last week's successful California installment, plans are already underway for the next round of tours in another rice growing region. The program provides USA Rice an opportunity to showcase sustainably-grown U.S. rice and the hard-working men and women who make it all possible, and improves participants understanding of every aspect of U.S. rice, leading to increased use of the mighty grain.
Uttarakhand PDS scam: Congress accuses BJP of vendetta politics
Catch News6 October 2017
After the NH-24 scam, yet another
scam worth Rs 600 crore in the Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) in the Kumaon
division of Uttarakhand has been unearthed by Trivendra Singh Rawat-led BJP
government. The investigation conducted by the Special Investigating Team (SIT)
revealed that the PDS scam happened under the nose of the previous government with
some BJP leaders hinting at the involvement of senior Congress leaders.
These allegations have turned
into a heated political battle in the state with Congress accusing the BJP
government of indulging in vendetta politics and maligning the party and its
leaders. State Congress President Pritam Singh accused the government of
harassing Congress workers and cited incident of Dharchula where no confidence
motion has been moved against the Block President.
Speaking to reporters in
Dehradun, Singh said that Congress would launch a movement against the
anti-people policies of the government and its leaders would court arrest if
needed. Speaking on the PDS scam, Singh said that there is BJP government both
at the Center and the state and they could initiate a CBI inquiry into the
alleged scam.
He also dared the government to
take action against those who have been involved in the case including senior
leaders and ministers. When asked why Singh, who was the Food Minister in the
previous government, did not come to know of such a scam in his own ministry,
Singh said that it was a lower level matter.
Earlier, the BJP government had
accused the previous Congress government of being involved in the NH-24 scam
where irregularities were found in providing compensation to those whose land
had been acquired for the process. However, the state government's request for
a CBI probe in the matter has not moved forward.
In fact, Union Minister Nitin
Gadkari had asked to the state government to not initiate a CBI probe as it would
have an adverse impact on the morale of the NHAI officials. Since then, there
has been no clarity whether CBI would probe the matter or not and the state
government has maintained an eerie silence on the issue.
Congress leaders feel that the
PDS scam too is just a political move to target the opposition and there is not
much truth in the allegations. Meanwhile, after the preliminary findings,
Vishnu Singh Dhanik, the regional food controller of the Kumaon division, has
been issued marching orders.
His dismissal was ordered after
the SIT, headed by Udhamsingh Nagar District Magistrate Niraj Khairwal,
submitted its report which highlighted irregularities in the procurement and
distribution of the food grains meant for the poor.
The issue first came into the
limelight after locals from the Kumaon region complained to the finance
minister Prakash Pant about the unavailability and poor quality of PDS ration.
After receiving such reports, he alerted the chief minister who constituted a
SIT on 2 August to look into the allegations.
The investigating team then found
irregularities and inconsistency in official documents and revealed that rice
procured for BPL families was bought and transported only on paper. Earlier in
July, state police arrested a man with documents after which the scam was
revealed. Further, the investigation revealed that there have been
irregularities in PDS have been ongoing for the previous two years.
These revelations forced the
chief minister to take action against Dhanik who apparently is considered close
to the former chief minister Harish Rawat. In fact, he was on two occassions
given extension by the chief minister despite objections from other
departments. Even after the BJP government took over, Dhanik continued to serve
in the position. It is expected that several other officers too could face
action for their involvement in the scam.
The investigation also revealed
how there provision of obtaining movement chalan was completely ignored by the
officials and that senior officials were aware of these irregularities but did
not take any action. These anomalies were found during documentary verification
at several PDS godowns in the Rudrapur, Kashipur, Kiccha and Bajpur towns of
Uddhamsingh Nagar district.
During the course of the investigation,
farmers and rice millers were also questioned after which the SIT was able to
zero down on the loss to the state which was then zeroed down to Rs 60,000
crore. Interestingly, most of these complaints were from the Uddhamsingh
Nagar district which had earlier shot into limelight for the multi-crore NH-24
widening scam
https://in.news.yahoo.com/uttarakhand-pds-scam-congress-accuses-162000260.htmlRe
1/Kg Rice
Scheme Predates Modi Govt: BJD
On Oct 5, 2017 1,341
KalingaTV News Network
Bhubaneswar:Reacting to Union Minister
Prakash Javadekar’s allegation that the Odisha government’s Re 1/kg rice scheme
was essentially funded by the Centre, the ruling BJD has blasted the Union
Human Resource Development Minister saying the scheme was implemented much before
Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister.Earlier in the day, Javadekar had
alleged that the Re 1/kg rice meant for the poor in the state is not given by
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik but by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The
Odisha government is only rebranding the Central schemes in its name, the Union
Minister had said.
BJD spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Pratap Keshari Deb said,
“The statement of Union Minister Prakash Javadekar is unfortunate and at the
same time laughable. The BJD started the Re 1 per kg scheme in 2008 and the
Centre brought the Food Security Act much later in 2013. The party introduced
the scheme much before Mr. Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of the
country.”
Repudiating Javadekar’s
statement, who had said that the Centre contributes Rs 27 whereas the State
gives only Rs 2 for the pro-poor rice scheme in Odisha, Deb said that the
Centre is duty bound to provide subsidised rice to the state under the National
Food Security Act (NFSA).
https://kalingatv.com/latestnews/odisha-boy-felicitated-pm-modi-fifa-world-cup-ground/
Shaheen seeks
compensation for crop damages due to rice blast disease
By Kashmir Patriot -
October 6, 2017
BANIHAL : National
Conference District President Ramban Sajjad Shaheen on Friday expressed grave
concern over the damages caused to standing crops in the entire district,
especially in Banihal Assembly Constituency, saying maize and paddy has
suffered major brunt due to rice blast disease.“The concerned agencies have
failed in taking preventive measures and launching awareness campaign among the
farmers”, Shaheen said while addressing office bearers meeting here this
afternoon.
Shaheen sought immediate
assessment of the losses and deputation of a team of agricultural scientists
for identifying the causes and suggesting the measures to combat various crop
diseases.
He said the walnut growers
and bee-keepers have also suffered heavy losses due to hailstorm recently. He
sought assessment of the damages by multi-agency team of various departments
particularly revenue, agriculture and horticulture departments to assess the
losses so that the sufferers are compensated.
In the first instance, he called for preliminary relief to the affected
farmers.
Sajjad Shaheen also
expressed concern over growing incidents of braid chopping that has created
fear psychosis among the people across the state. He said the PDP-BJP
government has failed in identifying and arresting the culprits behind heinous
crime against society.The meeting also discussed various organizational matters
and the cadre was urged to keep highlighting problems facing to the people for
seeking earnest redressal
http://kashmirpatriot.com/2017/10/06/shaheen-seeks-compensation-crop-damages-due-rice-blast-disease/
Texas Rice
Festival goes on after Harvey destroys some local rice crops
Texas Rice Festival goes on after
Harvey destroys some local rice crops
Forty-two inches of rainfall in
the Winnie area during Tropical Storm Harvey threatened to cancel the annual
Texas Rice Festival in Winnie.However, the event is taking place.On Wednesday,
local rice farmers and others gathered to celebrate the harvest, even though
some crops were lost.
KFDM/Fox 4's Peter Eliopoulos was
live at the Texas Rice Festival.
http://kfdm.com/news/local/texas-rice-festival-goes-on-after-harvey-destroys-some-local-rice-crops
False declaration: Customs seize containers loaded with foreign
rice
Abubakar Bashir addressing newsmen
Chukwudi Akasike, Port Harcourt
The Nigerian Customs Service, Port Harcourt,
Area II Command, has seized three containers containing hundreds of bags of
foreign rice, which were falsely declared by an importer.
The Area Controller of the Command,
Comptroller Abubakar Bashir, explained that the NCS was able to discover the
goods as a result of its resolve to embark on a 100 percent physical
examination of every container coming into the country through its command.
Displaying seized containers to journalists,
Bashir recalled that the command under his watch had made a total of 23
seizures with a duty paid value of N446.3 million and N23.6 million on three
containers carrying the imported rice.
Bashir disclosed that the erring importer had
declared that the containers were loaded with sewing machines, only for the
security outfit to search aND discover that they (containers) were loaded with
hundreds of bags of foreign rice.He warned importers, who were in the habit of
false declaration of goods to desist from such crime, adding that with his
Command’s new strategy, no container would pass without a thorough check.
Bashir said, “By insisting on 100 percent
examination of cargo, we have also forestalled the importation of unwholesome
and prohibited goods into the country.“Our stand on this issue is particularly
reassuring in light of current events in the country, which led to the seizure
of illegally imported arms. Today, no container exits the port gate without 100
percent physical examination.”
On revenue generation, he stated that despite
the current economic situation in the country, the Port Harcourt II Area
Command of the Nigeria Customs Service had generated over N71.8 billion as
revenue from January to September 2017.
He said that the amount was recorded from oil
and gas importation and exportation, even as he observed a 52 percent drop in
oil and gas imports through the command.Bashir also noted that there had been a
45 percent increase in revenue generated from other sources, adding that the
command had from January to September, 2017, recorded a great feat in its fight
against smuggling.
He pointed out that the command had generated
about 63.85 percent of its annual budget, promising that the command will
exceed its target of N112.5billion at the end of the year.
According to Bashir, “The revenue collected by
the command from first to the third quarter of the year 2017 stood at
N71,826,387,566.98 billion, which is N1,430,239,950.49 billion higher than the
total revenue collected in the same period of the year 2016.
“Between January and September, this year, the
command recorded export activities to the tune of $96.520million
(N29,454,088,974.00billion). We also recorded an increase in Nigeria Export
Supervisory Scheme fees collected being N150.308 million. These figures
represents a 200 percent increase in export activities as at the third quarter
of 2017.”The Customs Comptroller of Port Harcourt Area II decried the lack of
functional scanning machines to carry out the job of detecting contraband
goods.
http://punchng.com/false-declaration-customs-seize-containers-loaded-with-foreign-rice/
Rice turns pricey in city on Bangla scarcity
bogey
KOLKATA: A dip in production of rice in Opar Bangla has prompted middlemen to play
mis-chief in Epar Bangla, pushing up the retail price of the staple diet that unites both
Bengals.
The retail price of different varieties of rice has risen by up to 20% in Kolkata markets, prompting the Bengalgovernment to blame "the artificial crisis" on "a section middlemen and speculators" and threaten action against them.
Trade insiders say the price rise has been sparked by reports of a shortfall in production of rice in Bangladesh, where the annual consumption of rice is around 3.1 crore tonnes. Bangladesh, therefore, has been forced to reduce import duty on rice from 28% to 2% in phases to tide over the crisis, which has been blamed largely on erratic rainfall.
This, claim retail market operators in Kolkata, has fuelled export of rice from India — largely Bengal — which has, in turn, created a shortfall in the Bengal market.
But the Bengal government has denied this demand-and-supply rationale behind the price rise and squarely blamed the middlemen and speculators. "There is no deficit in our foodgrain stocks. A section of middlemen and speculators has jacked up retail prices by spreading all these rumours. We are keeping a close watch and will take strong action against such dishonest traders," Bengal agricultural marketing minister Tapan Dasgupta told TOI.
The retail price of different varieties of rice has risen by up to 20% in Kolkata markets, prompting the Bengalgovernment to blame "the artificial crisis" on "a section middlemen and speculators" and threaten action against them.
Trade insiders say the price rise has been sparked by reports of a shortfall in production of rice in Bangladesh, where the annual consumption of rice is around 3.1 crore tonnes. Bangladesh, therefore, has been forced to reduce import duty on rice from 28% to 2% in phases to tide over the crisis, which has been blamed largely on erratic rainfall.
This, claim retail market operators in Kolkata, has fuelled export of rice from India — largely Bengal — which has, in turn, created a shortfall in the Bengal market.
But the Bengal government has denied this demand-and-supply rationale behind the price rise and squarely blamed the middlemen and speculators. "There is no deficit in our foodgrain stocks. A section of middlemen and speculators has jacked up retail prices by spreading all these rumours. We are keeping a close watch and will take strong action against such dishonest traders," Bengal agricultural marketing minister Tapan Dasgupta told TOI.
No drop in spiralling rice prices
in a week after a little cut
2017-10-06 23:48:06.0 BdST Updated: 2017-10-06 23:48:06.0 BdST
Ministers’
meeting with traders and drives against illegal stockpiling helped skyrocketing
rice prices drop slightly, but those are yet to come down to a tolerable level.Traders in Dhaka say the rice
mill owners cut the prices once under pressure from the government.Now, the
low-priced imported rice has brought some relief to the market.At some markets
in Dhaka on Friday, retailers were selling Miniket at Tk 3,000 to Tk 3,500 per
sack of 50 kilograms. The wholesale price was Tk 2,900.
A kg of Miniket was retailing at Tk 60 to Tk 61 while its
wholesale price was Tk 58.Before the prices shot up following market
manipulation and rumours that India would stop exporting rice during the
Eid-ul-Azha, the retail price of Miniket was Tk 52 to Tk 54 per kg.Prices of
other varieties of rice have also dropped but not to the level before the
recent hike.
Sakhawat Hossain, a manager of Bikrampur Rice Agency at Rampura,
told bdnews24.com that the mill owners cut the prices by up to Tk 150 per sack
on Sept 20 and by another Tk 25 after a week.That was the last drop in rice
price, he said.
"But the people are getting coarse rice at a slightly lower
rate because of adequate supply from India. A sack of Indian coarse rice costs
Tk 2,250 to Tk 2,300 now," he said.A manager of Satarkul Rice Agency at
North Badda, Biplob Hossain, said the prices dropped Tk 4 to Tk 5 per kg by the
end of last month.
"But the downtrend stopped a week ago. I've heard the
prices would drop more in the future," he said.But Golam Mostafa, who owns
a rice mill in Naogaon, does not see any drop in the prices before the harvest
of Ropa Aman.Rice prices shot up abnormally during the Eid. The retail price of
fine variety Nazirshail went up to Tk 70 per kg. Coarse rice prices also rose.
Following the rise in prices, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmeed,
Agrculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Food Minister Qamrul Islam and former food
minister Abdur Razzaque met rice mill owners, importers, hoarders, wholesalers
and retailers at the Secretariat on Sept 19 to arrest the spike.
The mill owners announced a cut in the prices by up to Tk 3 per
kg as the government promised to fulfil some of their demands at the time.The
government also relaxed conditions to import rice.The authorities later seized
thousands of sacks of illegally warehoused rice in drives on rice mills and
warehouses.
https://bdnews24.com/business/2017/10/06/no-drop-in-spiralling-rice-prices-in-a-week-after-a-little-cut
Lacille De Silva says Ranil is not reliable
October 6th, 2017
October 6th, 2017
By Rasika Hemamali Courtesy
Ceylon Today
Former Secretary of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to
Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of
Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) and Attorney-at-Law Lacille De
Silva says Ministers Hakeem and Ravi Karunanayake had clearly been subject to
accusations. “They influenced the President, directly, to remove me from the
PRECIFAC”, he noted.
Excerpts of the interview:
On 8 January there was a political transformation in this
country, how do you view the period that followed?
A: Promises were made, to combat corruption, make Government
Service more efficient, and ensure media freedom also to ensure independence of
the judiciary. Of the initial promises what we expected first was implementing
a procedure against corruption. A Presidential Commission was appointed against
corruption and fraud. An opportunity was granted to select a clever active
staff. The Commission was established in the month of March. By the month of
June about eight hundred petitions were received and the hearings had also
begun. The first report was handed over. At the end of February I was removed
from the post of Secretary.
Why do you think you were removed?
A: There were influences to halt the investigations on
corruption. I think investigations on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as
well as many in the Joint Opposition had commenced. Some of the people against
whom there were charges joined the Government. In addition Ministers Hakeem and
Ravi Karunanayake were clearly subject to accusations. They too influenced the
President directly to remove me.
Q: Are you saying this with responsibility?
A: I am saying it with responsibility. SATHOSA had granted
approval for importing rice. By importing rice, a loss of Rs.15.15 billion had
to be borne by the Government. Our investigations became a threat to ministers
in the present Government too. They did not want to come before the Commission
and what they did was send their officers to the Commission. This request had
been put to the Prime Minister. At that time, the President was of the stance
that investigations should be carried out into corruption and fraud. At the end
of February, before I was removed, I can recall the President told me to
continue with the work and that it was good, but, when there was pressure he
may have asked his Secretary to remove me from the post.
Are you saying that the President was put under pressure?
A: Definitely, there would have been some pressure that is why
it was decided to remove me. President had discussions with the Prime Minister
on the stance that officials did not want to go before the Commission. All of
this happened during the same period.
The first step was to get rid of me. Then bringing in Government
officials also gradually slowed down and all investigations came to a
standstill. In this manner fulfilling of all promises is coming to an end. Once
again, corruption investigations are being empowered through various other organizations
in the country.
As a country, corruption and fraud should be stopped. If not we
cannot progress. It is the innocent people who are suffering. Today youth are
engaged in protests. Those are just demands. We remember how they took up arms
against the Government. As a country we have not given careful thought to
these; it is because those in Government do not possess the ability, neither do
they see the need to do so. They cannot even prepare a plan.
Today we have reached a valuable turning point. After a serious
war, in 2009, the then Government managed to raise the country to a certain
standard, even they were unsuccessful in going beyond that.
The present ones came into power saying corruption, fraud,
tender frauds, this and that. Ranil Wickremesinghe is not someone who will
fulfil anything he says. I am saying this very clearly. In the Treasury Bond
issue from the inception he gave unnecessary protection. It is totally wrong.
Fortunately, the President took some decision. Through that decision, in some
way, it became clear what the truth is. However, even today there is some sort
of doubt whether these will be covered up. I am 100 per cent certain they will
not be covered up.
Can we believe that if a Treasury Bond fraud took place, those
found guilty will be punished?
A: Most definitely. It will be done. What he did by getting rid
of us is dig his own grave. I do not believe he will be so foolish again.
People also expect that from him.
He went to the United Nations Conference and said this path will
be corrected. If not, it is hard to believe that even the President will have a
political future. This is the final chance. It is clear. This situation cannot
be corrected due to large scale interference from Government.
Are you satisfied with those in Government?
A: This Government has an idiotic Cabinet. When briefing the
media on Cabinet decisions it is democratic to reply to questions in a civil
manner, that is not how it happens, they use just one or two words and try to
win, in an undemocratic manner. That is not how these should be solved. Cabinet
is continually making the situation worse they don’t seem to be able to untie
the knots. Finally it is the President who has to intervene in everything and
solve them.
Where should the country head?
A: Agriculture should be developed also there should be a
successful plan in place to generate employment. Today we are in a very
regressive state that should be corrected. The resources of this country are
being spent on the welfare and happiness of parliamentarians and ministers. The
world’s best vehicles are being brought to Sri Lanka. The current economic
status is a result of the incompetence of politicians.
We should spend the most on developing education. The Health
Services, Transport, Judiciary as well as the overall Government Service has
collapsed. To take the country forward it is essential to build up the
Government Service. By bringing a new Constitution these problems will not get
solved.
Are you saying that there is no need for a new Constitution?
A: We said very clearly that a new Constitution was required.
See the Procurement Commission. It was said that such a Commission was required
because all the corruption and the frauds under the previous Government was due
to the procurement procedure being corrupt. Even the concept of a Procurement
Commission was a proposal by Ranil Wickremesinghe. By proposing and not
implementing can we expect that through the new Constitution people will get
just solutions to their problems?
The 225 Members in Parliament will increase to 233 the number of
Pradeshiya Sabhas which is at 4,000 will be increased to 6,000 or more. Those
who are defeated and those who win will be 50 per cent, each. A strong
Opposition is required for a country. Through this presidential system, the
Opposition is being completely done away with.
What Ranil Wickremesinghe is doing involves a situation that
goes beyond even that. Therefore the country is being dragged down further.
Therefore we do not need a new Constitution at this stage.
At the conclusion of the ‘Sil Redi’ case, the JO said that due
to such verdicts, Government officials will become apprehensive
A: That verdict was 100 per cent correct. Based on the current situation appoints are made by politicians. As a result they have to become political henchmen. However, if a certain official refuses to take an order, they appoint another to that chair and get it done. That is what is happening. At the same time Government officials should be held responsible for their actions. Judge Gihan Kulatunga’s verdict is certainly a turning point in history. A Government Service that refuses to act on a wrong order should be implemented.
A: That verdict was 100 per cent correct. Based on the current situation appoints are made by politicians. As a result they have to become political henchmen. However, if a certain official refuses to take an order, they appoint another to that chair and get it done. That is what is happening. At the same time Government officials should be held responsible for their actions. Judge Gihan Kulatunga’s verdict is certainly a turning point in history. A Government Service that refuses to act on a wrong order should be implemented.
Sri Lankans working abroad, they are Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim,
maintain their integrity. No one can work under these decadent politicians.
If this country is to be developed the President has to fulfil
all the promises he made. It is not apparent that Ranil Wickremesinghe is
fulfilling five cents worth of that. He is swaying from side to side similar to
a stick in the mud swaying from side to side. This country cannot be taken
forward with such a leadership.
If I am to be upset it has to be with the President. The
President was aware of the work I was doing, but, I was thrown out without even
without being informed. I can see what is happening.
Are you criticizing the Government because of the displeasure on
being removed from the Commission?
A: I am speaking as an honest citizen. I did not after that go
behind people and ask for jobs. I do not have anything to gain neither do I
have anything to lose. If so it is the President that I should criticize.
Do you believe that by changing the Government you will not be
able to achieve the difference you expect?
A: It is the characters that should change. In a democratic
country, there should be leaders who honour democracy in order to implement
democracy. They should be a learned and knowledgeable group. There are ploys to
have the same Government in place so that the same group will benefit.
How can you find such a group of people?
A: Clever persons should be selected at regional level and if
that happens this country can be rebuilt.
http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2017/10/06/lacille-de-silva-says-ranil-is-not-reliable/
North American Wild Rice Faces
Sulfide Toxicity
Researchers
have developed a model to inform the regulation of sulfate levels in freshwater
environments that are threatening the iconic plant.
SOURCE: Journal of Geophysical Research:
Biogeosciences
A scientist sits in a canoe on Duck Lake,
northern Minnesota, surrounded by stands of wild rice. This is one of many wild
rice lakes sampled across the state, with the resultant data used for
modeling porewater sulfide. Credit: Ailsa McCulloch
Wild
rice (Zizania
palustris) is a native North American marsh grass that grows in
shallow aquatic environments such as wetlands, the margins of lakes, and slow-flowing
streams, its roots favoring soft organic sediments.
Native American tribes across the Great Lakes
region have harvested wild rice for millennia. It not only is a significant
part of their diet but also has sacred significance in their culture.
Commercial cultivation, largely in paddy
fields, began in Minnesota in the 1950s, and the distinctive long, slender
black grains are now a popular superfood.
However,
wild rice is under threat from sulfate pollution. As a result of human
activities, including wastewater discharge and mining, sulfate
enters the waterbodies where wild rice grows. In time, it penetrates into the
saturated soils below where the plant’s roots grow.
In these anaerobic conditions, bacteria transform (or “reduce”) the
sulfate into sulfide. High
concentrations of sulfide are toxic to roots and inhibit plant growth.
The
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency faces a decision as
to whether to regulate sulfate levels to protect wild rice. To guide this
decision, Pollman et al. developed a model to better
understand what influences sulfide concentrations in “pore water,” the water
contained within soil.
The relationship between sulfate in surface
water and sulfide in pore water is somewhat complex, and the researchers’
modeling effort aims to capture that complexity. They started by creating a
conceptual model of the relationship between sulfate and sulfide based on
certain assumptions about processes and relationships between components and
variables.
Next,
they selected appropriate subsets of data collected from lake and stream sites
in Minnesota as part of a larger study that spanned the state. After
running statistical analyses on these data, they expanded their conceptual
model to include more factors. The results showed that three variables were
equally important in determining sulfide concentrations: sulfate levels,
organic carbon in the soil, and iron in the soil.
The strength of their modeling approach rests
in not only how it allows for a range of variables but also how it provides a
framework for modeling direct, indirect (i.e., interactions mediated through a
third variable), and feedback relationships.
Although the model was shown to be successful
in capturing the complexity of relationships in the system, the researchers
cautioned against using it to determine an absolute level of sulfide that is
toxic to wild rice. Environmental and geochemical conditions in the many
different waterbodies where wild rice grows are varied; thus, the researchers
recommend applying a multiple binary logistic regression model to calculate
sulfate thresholds appropriate to each wetland location.
Control
of sulfate levels is seen as the best intervention to reduce sulfide toxicity
in freshwater environments, but this study offers a model that can be used to
tailor regulation for greater efficacy. (Journal of Geophysical Research:
Biogeosciences, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JG003785,
2017)
—Jenny Lunn, Contributing Writer
Citation: Lunn, J. (2017), North American
wild rice faces sulfide toxicity, Eos, 98,https://doi.org/10.1029/2017EO083261. Published on 06
October 2017
https://eos.org/research-spotlights/north-american-wild-rice-faces-sulfide-toxicity
FG to Bring Down the Price of a
50kg Bag of Rice to N9,000 Within a Month
|
|
Friday, October 6, 2017 9:55AM/ FDC
The Federal Government is promising to bring down the price of a 50kg bag of rice to N9,000 within a month. This is highly doubtful as governments have little or no control over market prices.
Brent oil slipped on concerns of higher shale output but recovered to $57.09pb following news of a drawdown in U.S crude inventories. Meanwhile, domestic commodity prices remain relatively static.
The attached slides summarize developments that took place in the domestic and global commodity markets this week.
The Federal Government is promising to bring down the price of a 50kg bag of rice to N9,000 within a month. This is highly doubtful as governments have little or no control over market prices.
Brent oil slipped on concerns of higher shale output but recovered to $57.09pb following news of a drawdown in U.S crude inventories. Meanwhile, domestic commodity prices remain relatively static.
The attached slides summarize developments that took place in the domestic and global commodity markets this week.
Related News
https://www.proshareng.com/news/Commodities/FG-to-Bring-Down-the-Price-of-a-50kg-Bag/36641
Customs fingers Policeman in rice smuggling in Kwara
October 6, 2017
Ardent operating again in Puerto Rico
Oct. 6, 2017 - by
Josh Sosland
A downed power pole and warehouse damage on the Molinos de
Puerto Rico property
DENVER — Extraordinary efforts are continuing at Molinos de
Puerto Rico, LLC to maintain operations at the community mill in San Juan,
Puerto Rico, which is part of Ardent Mills' network of mills, ensure customers
are supplied and assist employees affected by the catastrophic storm, said Bill
Stoufer, chief operating officer.
In an Oct. 5 interview with Milling & Baking News, a sister publication
of World
Grain, Mr. Stoufer expressed pride in what the company has
accomplished over the past fortnight in very difficult circumstances after
Hurricane Maria struck the Caribbean island on Sept. 20 with devastating force.
 |
|
Bill Stoufer, chief operating
officer of Ardent Mills
|
“We have an immense obligation to provide food ingredients to
the people of this island, and that’s what we’re focused on,” Mr. Stoufer said.
“It’s our moral responsibility.”Ardent Mills supplies a significant portion of
the grain based food ingredients on Puerto Rico. The complex includes a corn
mill and rice mill, in addition to the flour mill with 10,000 cwts of daily
milling capacity.“We are running all three units on generators,” Mr. Stoufer
said. “We’re running between 60% to 70% of normal.”The mill was closed as a
precaution as the storm approached, and production resumed about a week later.“I
can assure you we spared no expense in resuming operations,” Mr. Stoufer said.
“The majority of our customers are operating again, and we are committed to keeping
them supplied.”
Two days after the hurricane, Ardent Mills flew a team of five
to Puerto Rico to help staff assess damage and take the steps necessary to
resume operations, Mr. Stoufer said.
A damaged sea wall from the Hurricane Maria storm surge with a
still operational marine tower in the background on the Molinos de Puerto Rico property
“They flew down and had to live in the mill with no power, no
running water and no air conditioning to help get the facility up and running,”
he said. “It was engineers, millers, health and safety specialists. They fixed
what needed to be fixed to keep our product and people safe. There are more
repairs that will need to be completed in the future.
“Numerous vendor partners have sent people as well. We are so
proud of how everyone has performed in incredible conditions. Even now it is
not a pleasant situation — 90% of the island is still without power.”
Although there were no reported injuries, many of its team
members have experienced significant losses to homes and property. The company
has about 100 employees at the San Juan mill. Ardent Mills employees have
donated money to help team members in Puerto Rico, and the Ardent Mills is
matching employee contributions.
Recognizing the extraordinary disruptions in their employees
lives, Ardent Mills is helping in numerous other ways, Mr. Stoufer said.“All of
our employees are being paid for a full work week,” he said. “They need to
recover at work and personally. We are now feeding our employees when at work —
breakfast, lunch or dinner, depending on which shift they are working.
“We have running water and have over 100 five-gallon collapsible
containers so they can take fresh water home after work. Less than half the
island has running water.
“We have made arrangements through business partners for
employees so that they can get gasoline for their home generators and for their
cars.
“We have sent diapers, batteries and cooking stoves home for
those who need it.”
At its Denver headquarters, Ardent Mills has employees
from Puerto Rico whose family members have been affected by the storm. The
company is doing what it can to help establish communication channels so team
members can connect with family and let them know how they are doing, Mr.
Stoufer said.
“This was literally the worst storm in 90 years,” Mr. Stoufer
said. “When it hit the island, winds were 1 mile per hour less than a Category
5 storm. That’s very different from the hurricanes that have hit Puerto Rico in
the past. To understand the magnitude, the scale of what this does to your life
as a person and professional can’t be overstated. Everything gets turned upside
down.”
Mr. Stoufer said Ardent Mills will continue to do what is
possible to help its employees, but the situation will be difficult for the
foreseeable future.
“They’ve settled in a new norm,” he said. “The new norm is not
fun for the team. It isn’t fun when you are coming into work for air
conditioning and a semblance of normalcy in your life.”
Stoufer had high praise for the Federal Emergency Management
Agency and others providing assistance.
“FEMA has been fabulous, trying to get us information we need,”
he said. “Again, until you see devastation, you can’t understand. It’s
different than on the mainland. It’s an island, and you can’t do things fast.
“So much work has been done by aid groups to clear the roads.
It’s a unique dynamic of the hurricane to have so totally wiped out the
infrastructure.”
Widespread shortages of basic necessities such as food and water
have been reported, and distribution of these items has been difficult because
of the extent of the damage. U.S. President Donald Trump on Sept. 28 waived the
Jones Act, which officials had said was making relief efforts difficult.
Ardent Mills recognizes the importance that it continues to do
its part to help.
“We are keeping up with
customer demand,” Mr. Stoufer said. http://www.bakingbusiness.com/articles/news_home/Business/2017/10/Ardent_operating_again_in_Puer.aspx?ID={C9DC2682-E3DC-4BE5-AFCE-2FCD3D4650B7}&cck=1
Rice exports
grow on strength of China quota
Fri,
6 October 2017
Cambodian rice exports increased nearly 17
percent during the first nine months compared to the same period last year,
with exporters pushing to fill orders under China’s higher import quota as
European markets remained steady.A total of 421,900 tonnes of rice was exported
between January and September, a 16.7 percent increase compared to the first
nine months of 2016, according to government data published yesterday.
China – which has agreed to
accept 200,000 tonnes of rice this year – was the top destination for rice
shipments, receiving 124,700 tonnes during the period, with 53,900 tonnes and
35,400 tonnes delivered to France and Poland, respectively
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/rice-exports-grow-strength-china-quota
Myanmar diesel imports rise as rice exports improve
A rice export warehouse in Yangon. Demand for Myanmar-produced
rice from overseas is rising. Photo: The Myanmar Times
In 2016-17, the trade deficit
amounted to over US$5.5 billion, up from US$5.4 billion in 2015-16 and US$4.9
billion in 2014-15, according to the statistics released by the Central
Statistical Organisation.
Among the country’s imports is
diesel. Between September 17 and September 23, Myanmar imported over 64,000
tonnes of diesel worth US$32 million by sea, representing an increase of over
278,800 tonnes compared to the week before, according to government media
reports.
About a third of the diesel
entered the country through Myeik, near the Myanmar-Thailand land border trade
camp.
Diesel consumption in Myanmar
during the 2015-16 fiscal year had risen to 809 million gallons, up from 600
million gallons in the previous year and doubling from just four years ago,
data from the Ministry of Electricity and Energy revealed.
However, demand for rice and
broken rice produced in Myanmar is also rising. During the same week in September,
the country exported 26,825 tonnes of white and parboiled rice worth US$8.1
million, an increase of 5,579 tonnes compared to the previous week, government
media reports said.
The country also exported 34,835
tonnes of broken rice valued at US$8.5 million. That’s up by 27,145 tonnes
compared to the previous week. Broken rice is fractured grains of rice usually
sold for a cheaper price compared to white or parboiled rice.Myanmar exports
rice mainly to Bangladesh via the Sittwe border trade camp and to China via the
Muse, Lwejel and Chinshwehaw border points.It also exports rice to Singapore,
Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Senegal, Japan, South Africa, Russia and Afghanistan via
sea.
Zimbabwe: Zim Evaluates Rice
Production
ZIMBABWE is evaluating the feasibility of commercial rice
production with a Government delegation expected to go on a familiarisation
mission to Egypt to acquaint itself with technology and viable methods of
growing the cereal.Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation
Development (Cropping Production) Davis Marapira said he would next month lead
a team of experts from his ministry to familiarise with rice production in one
of Africa's largest producer. Zimbabwe is a net importer of rice and spends
about $150 million annually to import the cereal.
"We have done our preliminary research, which have shown us
that we can produce rice using hybrid varieties without any problem. I will
lead a team from the ministry to Egypt to familiarise with their technology and
understand how we can do it here.New rice varieties needs a lot of water in the
first two months and we have sufficient water (to support rice
production," deputy minister Marapira said.
With hybrid varieties, Egyptian farmers have improved average
rice production to almost 10 tonnes per hectare. Rice has become a priority
crop in Africa with many countries looking at expanding production of the crop
to achieve food self-sufficiency. At the fifth Presidential Youth Interface
Rally in Chinhoyi about two months ago, President Mugabe indicated the country
should seriously consider rice production.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201710050661.html
Cambodia's rice exports keep growing
6 Oct 2017 at 13:28
WRITER: KHMER TIMES
China is the biggest buyer of Cambodian rice
and Beijing intends to take more. (Photo from Khmer Times/Chor Sokhunthea)
PHNOM PENH - Cambodia’s exports of milled rice
continue to increase, with China still the biggest importer of Cambodian grain.Rice
is exported to nearly 70 countries.China remains the largest buyer, taking more
than 120,000 tonnes from January to September this year, followed by France (over 50,000 tonnes) and
Poland (35,000 tonnes), according to the latest report from the secretariat of
the One Window Service for Rice Export Formality.The report says from January
to September 2017 Cambodia exported 421,966 tonnes of milled rice, an increase
of 16.70% on the 361,505 tonnes exported
in the same period last year. Rice shipments are projected to total 600,000
tonnes this year.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, at a meeting with
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Laos in September last year, agreed to
double China’s annual purchase of 100,000 tonnes of Cambodian rice to 200,000
tonnes, starting from next year, Cambodia set to meet the 200,000 tonnes quot
to China by the end of this year, while Beijing plans to increase imports to
300,000 tonnes of rice next year, the Khmer Times reported.
Hean Vanhan, the director-general of the Ministry
of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ General Directorate of Agriculture,
said exports were expected to continue rising.
“We have a target of one million tonnes to
export, so we have to seek and open more markets,” he said. “We cannot depend
on China’s market alone.”
Based on current growth, Cambodia will reach
600,000 tonnes of exported milled rice in 2017, Mr Vanhan said.Hun Lak, the
vice-president of the Cambodian Rice Federation, said the figure of 200,000
tonnes to China will be reached.
“It may even be over the set quota, because
from July on is the rainy season and rice harvests and prices will increase,
which will benefit farmers and rice millers,” he said.In 2016, Cambodia
exported about 542,144 tonnes of rice to international markets. The government
plans to boost rice exports to one million tonnes per year.
Prime Minister Office of India : India – EU
Joint Statement during 14th India-EU Summit, New Delhi
10/06/2017 | 11:10am EDT
1. The 14th annual Summit between India and the
European Union (EU) was held in New Delhi on 6 October 2017. The Republic of
India was represented by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The EU was
represented by Mr. Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, and Mr. Jean
Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission.
2. The leaders reviewed the wide-ranging
cooperation under the India-EU Strategic Partnership. Recognising that India
and the EU are natural partners, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to
further deepen and strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership based on
shared principles and values of democracy, freedom, rule of law and respect for
human rights and territorial integrity of States.
3. The leaders expressed satisfaction at the
progress made towards implementing the India-EU Agenda for Action 2020 - the
roadmap for bilateral cooperation endorsed during the 13th India-EU Summit.
4. The leaders committed to work in a
result-oriented and mutually beneficial manner to further strengthen the
India-EU Strategic Partnership by deepening their trade cooperation, enhancing
investment flows in both directions and broadening dialogue and engagement on
global and regional issues, including climate change, as well as migration and
the refugee crisis, and resolved to further strengthen their bilateral and
multilateral cooperation in these areas.
5. The leaders commended the strong engagement
of the European Investment Bank in India in a wide range of key sectors, in
particular in the field of climate action and renewable energy.
6. The leaders underlined the importance of
regular high level contacts to enhance India-EU co-operation and mutual
understanding. They noted the fruitful outcome of the India-EU Foreign
Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi on 21 April 2017. Foreign Policy and Security
Cooperation - Partners for Security.
7. They agreed that India and the EU, as the
world's largest democracies, share a desire to work closely together and with
all relevant players to support a rules-based international order that upholds
agreed international norms, global peace and stability, and encourages
inclusive growth and sustainable development in all parts of the
inter-connected and multipolar world. They welcomed the growing convergence on
contemporary global issues and agreed to enhance India-EU cooperation in all
multilateral fora. They also recognised their common responsibility towards
ensuring international peace and security, and an open and inclusive
international order.
8. The leaders confirmed their commitment
towards conflict prevention and sustaining peace as fundamental aspects of
promoting security and prosperity, fostering non-proliferation and disarmament,
and agreed on the need for the global community to unite to address the menace
of terrorism and safeguard the security of the global commons - sea lanes, cyber
space and outer space. They welcomed the 5th India-EU Foreign Policy and
Security Consultations held in New Delhi on 25 August 2017 - a platform to
further deepen cooperation in the political and security area.
9. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to
an open, free, secure, stable, peaceful and accessible cyberspace, enabling
economic growth and innovation. In particular, the leaders reaffirmed that
International Law is applicable in cyberspace, and that there was a need to
continue and deepen deliberations on the applicability of International Law to
cyberspace and set norms of responsible behaviour of States. The leaders
welcomed the holding of the 5th Global Conference on Cyberspace in New Delhi on
23-24 November. The leaders noted that the bilateral Cyber Dialogue provided a
strong foundation for existing and future cooperation and welcomed the holding
of its latest round in New Delhi on 29 August this year, and the next India-EU
Cyber Dialogue in Brussels in 2018.
10. The leaders strongly condemned the recent
terrorist attacks in many parts of the world, underlining their common concern
about the global threat posed by terrorism and extremism. They adopted a Joint
Statement on Cooperation in Combating Terrorism with a view to deepening their
strategic and security cooperation, and expressed their strong commitment to
combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, based on a comprehensive
approach. The leaders resolved to step up cooperation through regular bilateral
consultations and in international fora. In this context, they welcomed the
India-EU Dialogue on Counter-Terrorism on 30 August 2017 in New Delhi, and the
joint commitment to explore opportunities to, inter alia, share information,
best practices, including regarding countering the on-line threat of
radicalisation, and to engage in capacity building activities, such as training
and workshops. They also emphasised the need to deepen cooperation within the
UN and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
11. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment
to strengthening global non-proliferation efforts as highlighted at the
India-EU Non-proliferation and Disarmament Dialogue in New Delhi on 18 July
2017. The EU congratulated India on its admission to the Missile Technology
Control Regime (MTCR). The EU welcomed India's subscription to The Hague Code
of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC) and noted India's
intensified engagement with the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG), the Wassenaar
Arrangement and the Australia Group, which strengthens global non-proliferation
efforts.
12. India and the EU reaffirmed their
commitment to enhance maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean and
beyond. Both sides noted the recent joint manoeuvres (PASSEX) between the EU
Naval Force and the Indian Navy off the coast of Somalia, as a successful
example of naval cooperation. The EU looks forward to India's possible
participation in escorting World Food Program vessels in the near future. They
also underlined the importance of freedom of navigation, overflight and
peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with the universally recognised
principles of International Law, notably the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. Both leaders attached importance to the security,
stability, connectivity and sustainable development of Oceans and Seas in the
context of developing the 'blue economy'.
13. Both sides agreed to enhance the India-EU
space cooperation, including Earth observation.
14. India and the EU reiterated the importance
they attach to human rights cooperation, including on gender equality and women
empowerment in all spheres of life. In this regard, they looked forward to the
next session of their dialogue to be held in New Delhi and supported enhancing
interaction in international fora, in particular the UN General Assembly and
the UN Human Rights Council.
15. The two sides expressed support to the
Government and the people of Afghanistan in their efforts to achieve an Afghan-led
and Afghan-owned national peace and reconciliation. The two sides remain
determined to counter all forms of terrorism and violent extremism, considering
them fundamental threats to international peace and stability. India and the EU
underline the importance of the regional and key international stakeholders to
respect, support and promote a political process and its outcome in order to
ensure peace, security and prosperity in Afghanistan. The EU appreciated the
positive role being played by India in extending development assistance in
Afghanistan, including for building social and economic infrastructure,
governance institutions and human resource development and capacity building.
Both sides reconfirmed their commitment to promoting peace, security, and
stability and supporting Afghanistan on its development path to become a
self-reliable and prosperous state.
16. India and the EU expressed deep concern at
the recent spate of violence in the Rakhine state of Myanmar that has resulted
in the outflow of a large number of people from the state, many of whom have
sought shelter in neighbouring Bangladesh. Both sides took note that this
violence was triggered off by a series of attacks by Arakan Rohingya Salvation
Army (ARSA) militants which led to loss of lives amongst the security forces as
well as the civilian population. Both sides recognised the need for ending the
violence and restoring normalcy in the Rakhine state without any delay. They
urged the Myanmar authorities to implement the Kofi Annan-led Rakhine Advisory
Commission's recommendations and work with Bangladesh to enable the return of
the displaced persons from all communities to Northern Rakhine State. India and
the EU also recognised the role being played by Bangladesh in extending humanitarian
assistance to the people in need.
17. India and the EU reaffirmed their support
for the continued full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
(JCPOA) regarding the Iranian nuclear issue. They recognised confirmation by
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran is complying with its
nuclear-related JCPOA commitments. India and the EU called for the full and
effective implementation of the deal, which has been endorsed by the UN
Security Council and is a crucial contribution to the non-proliferation
framework and international peace, stability and security.
18. Both sides condemned the nuclear test
conducted by DPRK on 3 September 2017, which was another direct and
unacceptable violation of the DPRK's international commitments. They agreed
that DPRK's continued pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and
its proliferation links pose a grave threat to international peace and
security, and called for the complete, verifiable, irreversible
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, which has been endorsed by the UNSC
and the Six Party Talks. Both sides stressed the responsibility of those who
support DPRK's nuclear and missile programmes. They also stressed the
importance of unity of the international community in addressing this
challenge, ensuring that all UNSC sanctions are fully implemented by the entire
international community, so as to maximize pressure towards achieving a
peaceful and comprehensive solution through dialogue.
19. Regarding the situation in Syria, India and
the EU reaffirmed the primacy of the UN-led Geneva process and called for full
support for the intra-Syrian talks with a view to promoting a political
solution in Syria. Protection of civilians and territorial integrity is
fundamental and all parties to the conflict and their supporters are expected
to live up to their commitments. India and the EU reaffirmed that only a
credible political solution, as defined in UNSCR 2254 and the 2012 Geneva
Communiqué will ensure the stability of Syria and enable a decisive defeat of
Da'esh and other UN-designated terrorist groups in Syria. India and the EU
agreed that the second Brussels Conference on Syria in spring 2018 will
contribute to sustain international commitment to Syria.
20. On the Middle East Peace Process, India and
the EU reiterated calls on parties to engage constructively so that a just,
lasting and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based
on the two-state solution, could be achieved on the basis of relevant United Nations
resolutions, the Madrid Principles, the Arab Peace Initiative, for peace and
stability in the Middle East.
21. The two sides also reiterated their full
support to the UN facilitated Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process to
forge a lasting solution to the political crisis in Libya. Establishing an
inclusive government and building peace and stability in Libya is in the
interest of the entire international community.
22. India and the EU acknowledged the
importance of connectivity in today's globalised world. They underlined that
connectivity initiatives must be based on universally recognised international
norms, good governance, rule of law, openness, transparency and equality and
must follow principles of financial responsibility, accountable debt financing
practices, balanced ecological and environmental protection, preservation
standards and social sustainability.
23. Both sides underlined the importance of
ASEM as an informal platform for connecting Asia and Europe. Both sides also
agreed to give new impetus to ASEM in the run up to the next ASEM Summit to be
hosted in Brussels, where the focus would be on tackling global challenges
together.
24. The leaders underlined their strong support
for a diplomatic solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine through the full
implementation of the Minsk Agreements by all parties in accordance with UN
Security Council Resolution 2202 (2015).
25. The EU hoped for a swift solution, through
the due process of law in India, in the case of MV Seaman Guard Ohio, which
concerns fourteen Estonian and six British citizens sentenced to prison by an
Indian court. Global Challenges - Multilateral Cooperation.
26. Both sides reaffirmed their support to the
new United Nations reform agenda on the three reform tracks of peace and
security, development and management reform. The two sides' commitment to
stronger global governance also translates to reforming the bodies and organs
of the UN system, including the comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council
as well as the revitalisation of the work of the General Assembly, better
aligning the work of its committees with the 2030 Agenda.
27. The two sides agreed to work bilaterally
and with partners in the G20, the United Nations and other multilateral fora to
address emerging challenges to international security, global economic
stability and growth.
28. The leaders reaffirmed the crucial role of
the rules-based multilateral trading system, and the importance of enhancing
free, fair, and open trade for achieving sustainable growth and development.
They reaffirmed their commitment to work together with all Members of the WTO
to make the eleventh WTO Ministerial Conference a success with concrete
results, which would reaffirm the centrality of the rules-based multilateral trading
system and its importance for open and inclusive global trade.
29. Both sides recalled the adoption of the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the joint commitment to its
implementation with the complementary new EU Consensus on Development and India's
'sab kasaath, sab kavikas' policy initiatives, and reaffirmed the importance of
global partnerships to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and poverty
alleviation. In this regard, they reiterated their commitment to collaborate on
common priorities and looked forward to exploring the continuation of the
EU-India Development Dialogue. Both sides also recognised the need to mutually
reinforce the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
30. The EU welcomed India's contribution to peace
and development in Africa, including its participation in UN Peacekeeping
Missions. The EU and India expressed their commitment to enhancing their
consultations and cooperation regarding Africa, with a view to optimising
possible synergies between their respective initiatives. They looked forward to
India's participation as an observer at the next EU-African Union Summit.
Partners in Prosperity through Increased Trade and Economic Cooperation;
Partners in India's Modernisation
31. The EU leaders welcomed India's efforts to
promote economic and social development and expressed the EU's continued
interest in participating in India's flagship initiatives such as 'Make in
India', 'Digital India', 'Skill India', 'Smart City', 'Clean India,' and
'Start-Up India'. The EU closely follows Prime Minister Modi's economic
reforms, including the historic introduction of the Goods and Services Tax
(GST), which can facilitate ease of doing business and promotes market
integration in India by realising a simple, efficient and nation-wide indirect
tax system. Prime Minister Modi appreciated the ongoing participation by EU
companies in the flagship initiatives and called for their deeper engagement in
India's developmental priorities. The EU side encouraged the greater participation
of Indian business organizations into the Enterprise Europe Network. The
leaders noted the progress made on EU-India cooperation on resource efficiency
and circular economy. Both sides agreed to enhanced cooperation and exchange of
experience and best practices in the field of Intellectual Property rights
(IPR) and public procurement.
32. The Leaders expressed their shared
commitment to strengthening the Economic Partnership between India and the EU
and noted the ongoing efforts of both sides to re-engage actively towards
timely relaunching negotiations for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial
India-EU Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA).
33. Both parties recognised the importance of
trade in agricultural products in general, and rice in particular, and agreed
to work together to resolve issues that have the potential of disrupting trade.
With regard to import tolerance level of tricyclazole in rice (Commission
Regulation (EU) 2017 / 983) the relevant plant protection companies will be
invited to present new scientific data in order for the European Food Safety
Authority to carry out an additional risk assessment without delay. On this
basis, the European Commission would expeditiously consider whether to review
the above mentioned Regulation. Both sides supported the early
institutionalisation of cooperation between the European Food Safety Authority
(EFSA) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), to focus
on exchange of knowledge and expertise in the area of methodologies for data
collection, risk assessment and risk communication. Furthermore, the EU and
India have agreed to further strengthen their cooperation on food safety,
notably by:
a. Strengthening existing dialogues like
Agricultural and Marine Working Group, SPS-TBT Working Group to cover issues on
food safety and agricultural trade between the relevant Indian
ministries/departments and relevant European Commission services.
b. Initiating joint projects in areas such as
good agricultural practices, development of traceability capacities, and
cooperation in laboratory activities, including testing and monitoring.
c. The EU would welcome India's application for
protection as a geographical indication of Basmati and shall process any such
future application, as expeditiously as possible.
d. India welcomes EU's intention to
expeditiously initiate the process of recognising additional seed varieties of
Basmati rice under Article 28 of the GATTS 1994 for duty derogation, as already
requested by India.
34. Leaders welcomed the establishment of an
Investment Facilitation Mechanism (IFM) for EU investments in India as a means
to improve the business climate and hoped that the IFM will ease sharing of
best practices and innovative technology from the EU to India. Leaders
acknowledged that the 'Make in India' initiative may offer investment
opportunities for companies based in the EU Member States.
35. Leaders welcomed the establishment of the
South Asian Regional Representative Office of the European Investment Bank
(EIB) in India and noted that its investments, especially in urban mobility and
renewable energy projects, will support India-EU collaboration on the Climate
Agenda. The leaders welcomed the new €500 million EIB loan agreement for
Bangalore Metro Phase-II Project, which is part of EIBs enhanced commitment of
€1.4 billion in loans to India in 2017.
36. The leaders noted the ongoing positive
discussions and the exchange of a Joint Declaration between the Interim
Secretariat of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and the European
Investment Bank (EIB) aimed at mobilising investments for broad-based
deployment of affordable solar energy applications across the 121 prospective
member countries of the ISA.
37. Both sides adopted a Joint Statement on Clean
Energy and Climate Change, reaffirmed their commitments under the 2015 Paris
Agreement, and agreed to co-operate further to enhance its implementation.
India and the EU noted that addressing climate change and promoting secure,
affordable and sustainable supplies of energy are key shared priorities and
welcomed the progress on the Clean Energy and Climate Partnership, adopted at
the 2016 EU-India Summit, and reiterated their commitment to its implementation
and further development, in accordance with the work programme agreed at the
EU-India Energy Panel meeting in October 2016.
38. India and the EU reaffirmed their
commitment to undertake mutual cooperation for reducing the cost of development
and deployment of renewable energy projects through technology innovation,
knowledge sharing, capacity building, trade and investment, and project
establishment.
39. The leaders reiterated the importance of
reconciling economic growth and environment protection. They highlighted the
importance of moving towards a more circular economic model that reduces
primary resource consumption and enhanced the use of secondary raw materials.
They welcomed the contribution of the International Resource Panel, the Indian
Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (through the Indian
Resource Panel) and of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI
Aayog) to developing strategies for this crucial economic transition. Both
sides agreed that the newly established G20 Resource Efficiency Dialogue will
be an ideal platform for knowledge exchange and to jointly promote resource
efficiency at a global level. Leaders also agreed to further intensify
cooperation on addressing environmental challenges, such as water management
and air pollution, acknowledged the progress in implementing the India-EU Water
Partnership, including an agreed action programme, the increased cooperation
opportunities on research and innovation, looking forward to the third India-EU
Water Forum later in the month.
40. The leaders agreed to work towards an
enhanced cooperation on innovation and technology development aiming at actions
strengthening cooperation between European and Indian industries and start-up
ecosystems.
41. The leaders welcomed the intensified
technical cooperation between the Indian and European telecom standardisation
bodies (TSDSI and ETSI), supported by the EU, and focusing on future global
standards for 5G, Intelligent Transport Systems, Internet of Things, Future
Networks and telecom security. Both sides encouraged the stakeholders to
broaden this cooperation, demonstrate concrete technological solutions, and
strengthen links between 'Digital India' and 'Digital Single Market for
Europe.'
42. Both sides noted positive exchanges on
Internet Governance, on increasing the ease of doing business for ICT companies
on both sides, as well as meetings between the Indian and European start-up
ecosystems under a 'Start-up Europe India Network'.
43. The two sides confirmed their interest in
further strengthening the cooperation in the area of pharmaceuticals, including
capacity building of the regulatory system with particular focus on inspections
by creating a more structured and stable training environment. The Indian side
also highlighted its interest for cooperation on capacity building of the
entire pharmaceutical value chain.
44. The leaders adopted the India-EU Joint
Statement on a Partnership for Smart and Sustainable Urbanisation with a view
to step up cooperation including with regard to priority sectors such as the
upgrading of urban infrastructure for transport and sanitation, developing
Smart Cities in India, as well as promoting the New Urban Agenda of the United
Nations adopted in 2016.
45. The leaders agreed to scale-up cooperation
under the renewed India-EU Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement in
frontier areas of science and technology and in addressing current global
challenges in particular in the areas of health, water and clean energy. They
welcomed the agreement to launch a major joint flagship initiative of €30
million on water-related challenges reflecting the pressing need to cooperate
on technological and scientific knowledge and management capacities to cope
with increasing stress on water resources. Both sides agreed to work towards
reciprocal opening of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation
'Horizon 2020' and Indian programmes, and called for an intensified two-way
mobility of researchers. To this extent, the two sides welcomed the conclusion
of the Implementing Arrangement between the Science & Engineering Research
Board (SERB) and the European Research Council (ERC).
46. The leaders encouraged Euratom and the
Department of Atomic Energy to conclude the Agreement for Research &
Development Cooperation in the field of the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.
They stressed that this cooperation will contribute to further enhancement of
nuclear safety and will be mutually advantageous. The cooperation will also
lead to improving the skills and deployment of non-power technologies in the
areas of water, health care & medicine, environment, etc., for the benefit
of the society.
47. Both sides will continue their strong
partnership in the development of fusion energy, building on the agreements to
which they are parties, including under the Euratom-India Cooperation Agreement
on Fusion Energy research.
48. The Leaders welcomed the imminent
operationalisation of the 2008 Horizontal Civil Aviation Agreement, which will
enhance air connectivity between India and Europe and help foster greater
people-to-people contacts, business travel and increase in tourism. The leaders
considered the opportunity to deepen transport cooperation in areas of mutual
interest across all modes of transport, notably maritime, aviation, urban
mobility and, rail.
49. India and the EU agreed to intensify
cooperation in skills development and agreed to find complementarities and
synergies between India's Skill India initiative and the EU's New Skills Agenda
for Europe.
50. The leaders emphasised that, as part of the
India-EU Agenda for Action 2020, there was a need to work towards strengthening
cooperation on higher-education, including through India's GIAN programme and
the EU's Erasmus+ programme. The Erasmus+ programme has just celebrated its
5000th Indian alumni and has offered financing opportunities for institutional
cooperation to many Indian universities through joint-masters, short-term
mobility, capacity building projects and Jean Monnet actions for EU studies.
The leaders welcomed that, overall, India has been the number one beneficiary
of Erasmus mobility actions in the world since its creation.
51. The two sides took note of the High Level
Dialogue on Migration and Mobility held in Brussels on 04 April 2017. They
welcomed the understanding reached in advancing the Common Agenda on Migration
and Mobility, including through technical collaboration and undertaking
projects in areas of mutual interest, with a view to better organising
migration and mobility between India and the EU.
52. The leaders agreed to intensify people-to-people
exchanges and facilitate increased travel of tourists, business persons,
students and researchers between India and the EU. The Indian side noted the
ongoing revision of the EU Blue Card Scheme aimed at easing the flow of highly
qualified professionals to the EU.
53. The leaders noted the adoption of the
report on 'EU's Political Relations with India' in the European Parliament and
welcomed its recommendations for intensifying the exchanges between the Indian
and European parliamentary delegations. The leaders also looked forward to
intensified exchanges between scholars, think tanks and cultural delegations.
Prime Minister’s Office of India published this
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European Commission : Joint Statement 14th
India-EU Summit, New Delhi, 6 October 2017
10/06/2017 | 06:05am EDT
Both parties recognised the importance of trade
in agricultural products in general, and rice in particular, and agreed to work
together to resolve issues that have the potential of disrupting trade. With
regard to import tolerance level of tricyclazole in rice (Commission Regulation
(EU) 2017 / 983) the relevant plant protection companies will be invited to
present new scientific data in order for the European Food Safety Authority to
carry out an additional risk assessment without delay. On this basis, the
European Commission would expeditiously consider whether to review the above
mentioned Regulation. Both sides supported the early institutionalisation of
cooperation between the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Food
Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), to focus on exchange of
knowledge and expertise in the area of methodologies for data collection, risk
assessment and risk communication. Furthermore, the EU and India have agreed to
further strengthen their cooperation on food safety, notably by:
• Strengthening
existing dialogues like Agricultural and Marine Working Group, SPS-TBT Working
Group to cover issues on food safety and agricultural trade between the
relevant Indian ministries/departments and relevant European Commission
services.
• Initiating
joint projects in areas such as good agricultural practices, development of
traceability capacities, and cooperation in laboratory activities, including
testing and monitoring.
The EU would welcome India's application for
protection as a geographical indication of Basmati and shall process any such
future application, as expeditiously as possible.
India welcomes EU's intention to expeditiously
initiate the process of recognising additional seed varieties of Basmati rice
under Article 28 of the GATT 1994 for duty derogation, as already requested by
India.
http://www.4-traders.com/news/European-Commission-Joint-Statement-14th-India-EU-Summit-New-Delhi-6-October-2017--25238695/
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